Method for setting up and operating a network of luminaires

ABSTRACT

Described herein is method for setting up a network of luminaires and their subsequent operation. A plurality of luminaires are located on a street ( 24, 29 ), and each luminaire comprises a control module ( 23, 28 ). The method for setting up the network comprises, for each control module, scanning the environment and providing environmental information to a central server, which, allocates the control modules and their associated luminaires into groups (A, B). A group controller ( 23′, 28′, 31, 32 ) is allocated for each group which has long-distance communication with the server and short-distance communication with control modules within its group. Each group controller and control modules within the group form a network which can operate autonomously or under the control of the server. Some of the control modules may include sensors (S 1 , S 2 ) which provide signals indicative of changes in the environment allowing the network to adapt its operation in accordance with those changes.

The present invention relates to a method for setting up and operating,particularly for controlling a network of luminaires, in which case thelatter are in particular street lights.

It is known from the prior art that networks of luminaires have anincreasingly more intelligent controller. For example, tele-managementsystems for operating networks of luminaires are known, in which aso-called segment controller connected to a management console on a PCcontrols a number of luminaires via their control module. The segmentcontroller which is too large to be integrated in a luminaire should beerected in such a manner that the luminaires to be controlled cancommunicate with it using a short-range communication module. Failure ofthe segment controller leads to a loss in the ability to control thenetwork of luminaires.

It is likewise known practice to equip all control modules of theluminaires in a network to be controlled with a long-range communicationmodule, for example based on GSM, via which the control modulescommunicate with a central server. Appreciable communication costs arisein this network as a result of the large number of control modulesactively incorporated in a provider or long-range communication network.

Furthermore, the known systems are expensive to start up since theGPS-assisted assignment of the controllers to a luminaire must bemanually carried out, in particular. Finally, the latency in the networkis comparatively high on account of the large number of luminaires whichcan be controlled by a segment controller.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for operatinga network of luminaires which is easier to start up, ensures a higherdegree of failure safety and is also more favourable during operation.

The object is achieved by means of a method according to the claims andby means of a network according to the claims. Advantageous refinementsof the invention can be gathered from the subclaims which refer backthereto and from the following description.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to operate anetwork of luminaires in a more failsafe and cost-effective manner andsimultaneously simplifies installation. A plurality of control modulesare provided in a method according to the invention, wherein each of thecontrol modules can be respectively assigned or is assigned to oneluminaire, and wherein the respective control module respectively has along-range communication module (for example GSM, GPRS, Iridium oranother cellular network or an Ethernet connection), a short-rangecommunication module (ZigBee, 6 LoWPAN or the like), preferably anear-field communication module (especially with a near field sensor), ageocoordinates module to determine the position of the control modulebased on GPS, GLONASS Galileo or other in particular satellite basedpositioning systems, a controller, preferably at least one sensor andalso a control output (for example based on DALI or 0 resp. 1 to 10volts). Control signals can be output to a driver of a luminous means ofthe luminaire, preferably a street light, via the control output. Thenetwork also has at least one server which can be reached via thelong-range communication module and on which associated tele-managementsoftware can run. In order to set up the network, the control modulesare divided into one or more groups of control modules, in which casethis division is carried out on the basis of environmental, luminaireand/or control module information provided by the control modules. Thelong-distance communication module can be based on different techniques.For example it could be a cellular network, an IP-network or a longrange peer to peer network. The division of the control modules into oneor more groups of control modules is preferably performed by the server.

In this case, in addition to the geocoordinates, possible environmentalinformation is also, in particular, information relating to adjacentcontrol modules in the short-range network (e.g. connection quality andother RF characteristics or neighbourhood tables) and/orenvironment-specific information (for example ambient brightness). Theluminaire information may be information relating to the luminous meansused, their drivers and/or further details of the assigned luminaire,for example the current luminosity or dimming. The control moduleinformation is, in particular, information relating to the uniqueidentification of the control module, for example its IP address oranother UID (Unique IDentifier). According to the invention, one of thecontrol modules in each group or, in the case of one group, only in thatgroup is selected as the group controller on the server side. This groupcontroller selection is preferably performed by the server. The furthercontrol modules in the associated group can communicate with this groupcontroller using their short-range communication modules. That is tosay, the intra-group communication is carried out using the respectiveshort-range communication modules. The control modules in a group form ashort-range network, preferably in the form of a mesh network, insidethe group via the respective short-range communication modules. In thenormal operating state of the network, only the group controller cantransmit its own environmental, luminaire and/or control moduleinformation and the environmental, luminaire and/or control moduleinformation received from its further control modules via theshort-range network to the server via the long-range communicationmodule. In this case, normal operating mode is understood as meaning acontrol mode of the network, in which control modules in the network areeach assigned to a group and perform their actual task, the control ofthe luminaire. Above and below, information is always transmitted bytransmitting corresponding data on the basis of particular communicationprotocols.

Such a network set-up is more failsafe during operation than theprevious network systems. On account of the redundant structure of therespective control modules inside a group, a new group controller can bereadily determined on the server side if a group controller fails. Afterthe new group controller has been made known inside the group, that isto say at the level of the short-range communication network(PAN=Personal Area Network), the connection is set up for those furthercontrol modules which were not defined as group controllers precisely bysaid group controller. This makes it possible to continue to maintaincontrol of the system on the server side and monitoring of the system onthe server side. At the same time, the costs are considerably lower onaccount of the one active control module (group controller) per groupthan if all control modules communicate separately with the server viatheir respective long-range module.

As a result of the intra-group network being set up as a mesh network,the failure safety and communication at the PAN level are likewise morefailsafe.

If “wherein” is used above or below to explain method steps, this doesnot necessarily mean simultaneity of the linked method steps. Rather,these method steps can (but need not) take place at the same time.

The operation of starting up the network is also facilitated if thecontrol module acquires geoinformation in an automated manner when thecontrol module is started up for the first time in particular,preferably caused by voltage being applied for the first time, andtherefore by an automatic sequence after the control module is switchedon. The geoinformation is location data, that is to say coordinates, andan exact time stamp. The geoinformation is acquired using thegeocoordinates module. At the same time or subsequently, registrationwith a network provider is carried out via the long-range communicationmodule. Said network provider is preferably a provider of communicationlines, for example a cellular network provider. A long distancecommunication network usually would be at least a cellular network. Theregistration can be effected, in particular, under roaming conditions,with the result that only the same registration information always hasto be predefined in the factory irrespective of where the respectivecontrol modules are subsequently set up. On the control module side, thecontroller and/or the long-range communication module therefore has/haveconsistent access data.

After registration with the network provider, the geoinformation canthen be transmitted to the server together with control module-specificand/or luminaire-specific information. The automated storage of the dataon the server side in an associated database makes it possible to erectstreet lights in an uncomplicated manner. In order to reduce thecommunication costs, after the information relating to a control modulehas been transmitted, provider access data specific to a locally presentlong-range network can be transmitted to said control module.

In particular, the provider access data can be made available viafirmware to those control modules which have an electronic SIM. In thiscase, the new firmware is installed on the controller or the long-rangecommunication module, with the result that it is possible to start upthe control module with low costs under local conditions. At the sametime, flexible communication and installation of the associated controlmodules can be achieved by the provision of firmware on the server sidewithout the control modules having to be equipped differently in thefactory.

In order to simplify the management of a multiplicity of networks ofstreet lights in particular, it is advantageous, after a control modulehas been started up for the first time and it has been registered on alogon server for the first time, to then assign the groups andinterchange data with said groups by a server in the form of a projectserver.

A server need not be understood as meaning isolated, separate EDP meanson the hardware side, but may also be only project-related isolationinside a tele-management program. A server may also be virtual serverson the same hardware or in a cloud.

For a trouble-free sequence after registration for the first time, theproject server can preferably receive information relating to theactivated devices, i.e. control modules, from the logon server.

For the purpose of reducing the costs, information relating to theactive control modules to be suspended and/or deactivated in terms oftheir long-range communication is preferably transmitted to thelong-range network provider or the network provider from the server viaan interface. It is therefore ensured on the provider side that only asmall number of control modules (one control module per group) isactive. The other control modules can communicate with the server onlyvia the communication path inside the mesh network, and then cancommunicate further with the server via the group controller. Suspensionof an electronic SIM in particular results in the latter being able tobe activated at short notice in case of doubt, for example if the groupcontroller fails. The network preferably compensates for the failure ofa communication path automatically and therefore only with a minimaldelay and establishes a new communication path. The new communicationcan be initiated using a corresponding request from the server or usinga time-based query and the attempt to access the provider network by thecontrol module.

An item of information can then be transmitted to the further controlmodules by the server, according to which information these furthercontrol modules communicate with the new group controller in the normaloperating state.

In order to set up the mesh network, it may be advantageous if datarelating to the respective members of the group are transmitted to therespective group controller by the server and the respective groupcontroller is determined as the group controller with respect to thefurther members of the group. Alternatively or additionally, the furthermembers of the group may be provided with data relating to thecommunication path or relating to the desired group controller so thatcommunication with the server can be effected in a trouble-free manner.

Accordingly, the information provided by the server may be informationfor the control modules, in the case of which said control modules areinformed of adjacent control modules in the same group. Said data may beextracted on the server side from a consideration of the geocoordinatesof the respective control modules, for example.

After the mesh network has been initialized and successfully set up, thegroup controller can transmit this message to the server. The server canthen guide the group to the control mode or can start the control mode.

In order to signal successful start-up, for example successfulintegration of a control module in the group network or successfulcontact with a server, to the operating personnel when installing a newluminaire, a new control module and/or after maintenance work on therespective luminaire, the control module can operate the luminaire withdifferent brightnesses after reaching the desired state over predefinedor predefinable intervals of time.

After being installed for the first time and/or installed again, atleast one of the control modules preferably receives a parameter set foroperating the luminaire from the server. This may be dimming curves, forexample.

The operation of a network of luminaires is also improved if the controlmodules in a group can be supplied with software updates via softwaretransmitted to the group controller by the server. This makes itpossible to achieve or possibly also enable new functionalities of theluminaire, for example.

Alternatively, a control module may receive new controller software, inparticular firmware, directly from the server while circumventing thegroup controller. However, the respective control module first of allneeds to be activated again at the provider for this purpose.

In order to make it possible to set up the network as quickly aspossible without delay, after being switched on for the first time, thecontrol modules can automatically scan the short-range network forfurther control modules and, as a result, can internally generate aneighbourhood table containing the closest neighbours in the short-rangenetwork. The list can subsequently be transmitted to a server. Inparticular, after the mesh network has been set up and the groupcontroller has been allocated, this neighbourhood information can betransmitted to the server together with further luminaire-specific andcontrol module-specific information.

For more failsafe operation, it is also advantageous if, on the basis ofa frequency of disturbing events and/or a particular number of controlmodules which have been replaced and/or newly installed, a serverinstruction for the temporally limited renewed reception ofneighbourhood information can be output or transmitted. For thispurpose, the control modules can possibly change to another PAN-internalcommunication mode and can make contact with adjacent control modulesvia the respective short-range communication module, can record saidcontrol modules and can receive the quality of the connection to thelatter. After a particular period of time has elapsed and/or after apredefined number of closest neighbours has been identified, thisinformation can be transmitted, possibly together with furthergeospecific and/or luminaire-specific or control module-specificinformation, to the group controller via the respective short-rangecommunication module or to the server via the long-range communicationmodule when the connection is activated. On the basis of thisinformation, the division of the groups and determination the groupcontroller can be checked, changed and/or possibly carried out again onthe server side.

A method in which, in order to transmit luminaire-specific information,an information carrier which is arranged on a part of the luminaire andis intended to receive luminaire-specific information is read in anautomated manner and/or in a manner triggered by the control module isparticularly advantageous for installing the network. The informationcarrier may be a chip, a memory card, an RFID tag or similar informationcarriers which can be contactlessly read. In particular, the informationcarrier is preferably contactlessly read using a near-field sensor ofthe control module. This is, for example, an RFID reader whichcommunicates with an RFID transponder or an RFID tag. The informationread may be used to select particular operating parameters on thecontrol module side, but may also be used only for transmission to theserver in order to receive operating parameters transmitted from thelatter, for example.

The maintenance of a network of luminaires according to the invention isalso improved if the luminaire-specific information is linked, on theserver side, after transmission to the server, to an inventory list, thecontent of which can preferably be at least partially displayed if oneof the parts of the luminaire fails. The individual parts of theluminaire may be provided with a web shop or another ordering option viaa link, with the result that possibly non-functional parts can be newlypurchased without a time delay.

Instead of querying the control modules in a group on the basis ofdisturbances or on the basis of a number of new control modules, thelatter can preferably observe information relating to their short-rangenetwork-based environment at a predefined time and/or on account ofserver initialization. For this purpose, it may be useful to restrictcommunication inside the mesh network at short notice in the directionof the server via the group controller and to allow only observation andcommunication with the closest neighbours in the mesh network on thebasis of the short-range module and the respective protocol. This isused to generate neighbourhood tables or lists, in which caseinformation relating to the signal strength and/or the connectionquality to the respective neighbours can be included at the same time.This information can be (temporarily) stored and can then be transmittedto the server either via the group controller or directly if alllong-range communication modules of the control modules are activated.

In order to deliberately inspect or check the status of a number ofcontrol modules, they may be preferably selected on the server sidebefore an above-described query, in which case a control module densityis determined and is checked using a predefined or predefinable limitvalue, for example. New inclusion of the environment-specific,luminaire-specific and/or control module-specific information can thenbe initialized on the basis of the limit value being exceeded.

In order to make it possible for the server to make a good selection ofthe group controller, it may be advantageous to have the respectivecontrol modules receive and store, during a scanning operation, datarelating to their UID in the short-range network, their IP address inthe long-range network, their UID in the short-range radio network,luminaire-specific information, data of a number of neighbours in theshort-distance network, particularly of up to 50, preferably of up to 10adjacent control modules in the short-range network, includingassociated UIDs, and/or the connection quality belonging to the adjacentcontrol modules and to then have this information (data) transmitted tothe server via the group controller at a given time. If the controlmodule is active, that is to say is provided with activated long-rangenetwork access, the server can also directly receive the informationfrom the control module.

The commissioning of the network and the division of the groups and/orgroup controllers on the server are preferably carried out in anautomated manner. Alternatively or additionally, the division of thegroups and/or group controllers can be kept variable by means of userinputs. This is advantageous, for example, when a group controller isnot uniquely selected on account of a program running on the server.

In order to keep the latency in the network below a desired level, eachgroup is preferably assigned a maximum of a predefinable number ofcontrol modules on the server side, in which case 200 control modulespotentially constitute an upper limit. Testing and simulation with up to2000 luminaires have shown that the latency of larger network groupsbecomes too great in order to ensure organized operation and regularchecking of the network state.

The number is preferably fewer than 200 control modules per group, inparticular fewer than 50 control modules.

The failure safety of a system is also sufficiently improved if acontroller is selected as the group controller in an automated mannerparticularly on the basis of fuzzy control strategies. Accordingly, acontrol module can also be suspended or deactivated in an automatedmanner on the basis of fuzzy control strategies.

In particular, the group controller can be selected and/or the controlmodules can be assigned to respective groups taking into account atleast one of the rules for:

-   -   the ratio of active to inactive control modules,    -   the availability of neighbours in the short-range network,    -   the number of network disturbances,    -   the network changes (new vs. deleted control modules),    -   the changes in the connection quality in the short-range        network,    -   the estimated connection costs to the long-range network        provider,    -   the communication of sensor data between adjacent groups,    -   the intra-group latency (also a delay on the basis of the        distance),    -   fallback options (replacement of failed group controllers)        and/or    -   a stabilization module for taking into account time-based        attenuation.

Preferably the rules are mapped and linked by an AI system. A simplecombination of these rules can be based on logic operations, e.g.AND/OR/NOR combinations.

The failure strategy is also increased if a substitute group controlleris at least defined on the server side using the control strategies,which substitute group controller changes from the suspended state tothe active mode if the actual group controller fails.

In order to make the acquisition of environmental information relatingto the short-range network and communication in the short-range networkfor the purpose of normal operation (communication with the server) moretrouble-free, it may be advantageous if the associated communication inthe short-range network is carried out in different frequency bands ofthe network. The same antennas can preferably be used for this purpose(multiplex operation).

According to another development of the method according to theinvention, information of cross-group relevance can be interchangedbetween adjacent groups. In order to be able to quickly forward, inparticular, sensor information or data based on sensor information withcross-group relevance, for example if the illumination situation of atravelling car or a pedestrian is involved, it is advantageous if thecorresponding information is directly transmitted, while circumventingthe server, to a control module in an adjacent group via the long-rangenetwork. In particular, this information may directly emanate from thecontrol module whose sensor has produced the information. Communicationcan accordingly be carried out via the long-range network provider butneed not run via the server. For protocol purposes, the server can beinformed of the corresponding information. In particular, theinformation is provided here using the relaying of the group controllersknown in the long-range network.

Alternatively, data based on sensor information and with cross-grouprelevance can be directly transmitted, while circumventing the server,to a control module in an adjacent group via the short-range network,wherein the data are preferably transmitted in a different frequencyband to intra-group normal operation. In this case, multiplex operationof the short-range module may likewise be advantageous again.

On the server side, it is advantageous if a group-independent selectionof control modules for interchanging data with cross-group relevance canbe made in the associated software. This may be graphically supported bymarking those control modules which are intended to interchange theirsensor information with one another on an outline map, for example. Forexample, extensive intersections which, on the boundary of adjacentgroups, are fitted with control modules respectively belonging todifferent groups may be marked in order to be able to quickly increasethe light volume in the direction of travel of an approaching car.

A network according to the invention which is formed as described aboveor below likewise benefits from the corresponding advantages.

Further advantages and details of the invention can be gathered from thefollowing description of the figures. In the schematically illustratedfigures:

FIG. 1 shows a network according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a further subject matter according to the invention,

FIG. 3 shows a simplified flowchart for a method according to theinvention,

FIG. 4 shows a further subject matter according to the invention,

FIG. 5 shows a part of a subject matter according to the invention,

FIG. 6 shows a further subject matter according to the invention, and

FIG. 7 shows a part of a subject matter according to the inventionaccording to FIG. 6.

Individual technical features of the exemplary embodiments describedbelow can also be combined, in combination with above-describedexemplary embodiments and the features of the independent claims and anyfurther claims, to form subject matters according to the invention. Ifuseful, functionally identically acting elements are provided withidentical reference numerals.

The present invention comprises a network comprising a plurality ofluminaires, each luminaire having a controller or control module forcontrolling the operation thereof, and a server. Each controller isconnected over an GSM Modem or a low power radio network (LPRN) anddecides how best they can communicate to the server. In a preferredembodiment, the controllers are able to form small networks with a groupcontroller, the group controller having an active GSM modem which isshared within the small network and through which communication is madewith the server over a provider GSM network.

As each controller communicates with the group controller, there is noneed for more than one active GSM modem to be present in each smallnetwork with the advantage that costs can be reduced (GSM networkcosts). Each controller uses the LPRN to communication to its groupcontroller using 6LoWAN using an IPv6 protocol. As a result, each smallnetwork comprises an internet protocol version 6 (IPv6) network andcommunication within the network is only using IPv6 protocols.

The server also operates using IPv6 protocols. However, to transmitinformation from each group controller to the server, a GSM network isneeded and currently, these operate using internet protocol version 4(IPv4) protocols. This means that communication between the groupcontroller and the server needs to be converted from IPv6 to IPv4 fortransmission over the GSM network and then converted back again at theserver. In addition, the communication over the GSM network is encryptedand secure, the encryption being provided in accordance with a suitableencryption protocol.

The server can decipher the encrypted communications received from groupcontrollers over the GSM network and can also encrypt communications fortransmission to the group controllers over the GSM network. Thisprovides an end-to-end encrypted communication between the groupcontrollers and the server.

According to the method according to the invention, a multiplicity ofcontrol modules 1 are each assigned to a group controller 2 according toFIG. 1. In terms of hardware, the group controller 2 has an identicalstructure to the control modules 1. However, only the respective groupcontroller 2 is able to interact with a server 4 via a long-rangeconnection 3. This is typically access to a local cellular networkprovider, via which the server is then kept reachable based on IP-WAN.

Communication between the server and the group controllers can becarried out using a common Internet protocol (TCP/IP), for example. Asdescribed above, this communication is using IPv6 protocol, andcommunication between the server and the group controllers involvestunnelling between IPv6 and IPv4 for transmission onto the GSM network,a communication using IPv4 over the GSM network, and a tunnellingbetween IPv4 and IPv6 at the server.

It will readily be understood that the requirement for theconversion/tunnelling between IPv6 and IPv4 and back again is due to theGSM network operating at IPv4. However, in the future, once the GSMnetwork operates at IPv6, there will be no need for thisconversion/tunnelling.

It will also be appreciated that in other embodiments of the presentinvention, the group controller and the server may operate on the sameversion of IP protocol as the GSM network.

Inside a group 7, the control modules communicate with one another viashort-range connections 6. This is preferably communication based on amesh network on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, for example ZigBee.

The respective groups 7 of control modules 1, 2 generally cannot see oneanother across the groups and therefore cannot hinder one another.However, for the purposes of cross-group communication, provision may bemade for spatially adjacent control modules to be able to share orinterchange data from sensors with one another in a cross-group manneror to forward said data or corresponding information via a short-rangeconnection 8. Actions, for example increasing the luminosity, may thenbe derived therefrom. Alternatively, this communication can also becarried out using the associated group controllers 2 which can see oneanother via their IP address on the Internet. The information relatingto which control module can communicate with which control module andhow this module can communicate is stipulated on the server side and isachieved in a cross-group manner, for example for the case ofshort-range communication, by means of a multiplexing unit of eachcontrol module, in particular.

A server for operating a network according to the invention can also, inaddition to connecting one or more groups 7 of control modules 1, 2which set up a PAN, control a network according to the known prior artwith a segment controller 15 (FIG. 2). The latter in turn manages anumber of luminaire controllers 9. The segment controller 15 isconnected via an interface 11 which can be used to interchange data withthe server 4. In addition to connecting the plurality of groups 7 viapossibly a further interface 12, the server 4 may operate datainterchange with a long-range network operator 14 again via a furtherinterface (API) 13.

A database 16 which interacts with different operating modules (clients)17 generally runs on the server itself. A user can access the server andits programs for operating and controlling the luminaire groups via agraphical user interface 18.

FIG. 3 gives a shortened description of the sequence of setting up anetwork of street lights. After a number of control modules have beeninstalled in a first phase 19 on street lights, the control modules willscan their environment in a second phase 20 which is either started onthe server side or starts independently and will transmit the respectiveenvironmental information and any further luminaire-specific and controlmodule-specific information to the server. This can be carried outeither directly under roaming conditions with a first provider orpossibly with a further local network provider predefined by the serverafter the respective control modules have been registered for the firsttime. After the environmental information and further information hasbeen transmitted by the respective control modules of the street lights,the control modules are determined and allocated (phase 21) in groupsand the group controller is determined and allocated. At the PAN level,the network can be set up on the basis of the standard used, for exampledynamically. After the respective group controllers have transmitted adata signal to the server relating to the successful realization ofinternal group communication, the system will change to a control mode22.

Assuming that a further number of new control modules, which can bepredefined on the server side, have been installed, the process can becarried out again according to the feedback loop 25.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention according toFIG. 4, a plurality of luminaires with respective control modules 23 and23′ are arranged along a road 24. The luminaires belong to a group ofluminaires or control modules A which was predefined on the server side.Like a group B, the group A is marked by dashed lines 26 and 27,respectively. Luminaires with associated control modules 28 and 28′which line a cross street 29 opening into the road 24 belong to group B.Inner black circles 31 and 32 indicate a luminaire with an activecontrol module, a group controller. Sensors S1 and S2 are assigned torespective control modules 23 and 28. In particular, radar sensors,infrared sensors (in particular passive infrared sensors) or elseinduction loops in the road 24 and 29 are possible here as sensors. Saidsensors detect an approaching object, whereupon the control modulesadapt the light from the respective street lights in the group to thesituation both within the groups and across the groups.

For example, if an approaching car is detected using the control module23 of a street light, which is provided with the sensor 51, theinformation is shared in group A, the light in group A is turned upusing control modules 23 and 23′ and this information or the informationrelating to the approaching car is transmitted to the group controller28′ in group B via the group controller 23′. The brightness is then alsoadapted in the relevant luminaires of control modules 28 and 28′, thatis to say the luminaires selected on the server side, in group B.Alternatively, the control module 23 provided with the sensor 51 couldalso communicate directly with the group controller 28′ in group B orwith a further control module 28 which is assigned to said controller28′ and belongs to one of the street lights, whereupon the informationis shared in the network and a corresponding reaction is given in groupB.

The respective control modules and therefore the associated street lightlights can be assigned on the server side to a first group which isintended to be supplied with an item of sensor information from a sensorin an adjacent group and which is then used to forward information in across-group manner. Corresponding input masks are available for thispurpose on the server side, in particular.

A control module according to the invention which can be used toimplement the method described above can preferably be placed onto aluminaire head, for example of a street light, as a separate unit (cf.FIG. 7). The important parts of a control module which can be externallyattached are disclosed in more detail in FIG. 5. In the explodedillustration illustrated there, the control module comprises an upperhousing part 33 and a lower housing part 34. The lower housing part canbe fastened to a base to be arranged on the top side of the light via aseal 36. The connection to the base is effected using contacts 37 to betwisted in a bayonet-like manner. The contacts 37 are fastened in thehousing 34, on the one hand, and bear a central printed circuit boardunit 38, on the other hand. A controller 39, short-range and long-rangecommunication modules and an acceleration sensor unit 41 for detectingseismic waves, in particular, are present, inter alia, on said printedcircuit board unit.

An RFID reader which can be introduced into a base on the luminairehousing side in order to be able to receive luminaire-specific data froman RFID transponder in the near field is not illustrated.

The depiction according to FIG. 6 illustrates a road system having aplurality of roads 42 of a length of several hundred metres. These roadsare lined by a multiplicity of street light lights 43 with respectivecontrol modules. The control modules are each provided with sensors fordetecting seismic waves. These may be simple acceleration sensors, onthe one hand. Alternatively, more complicated seismometers may also beused in a manner integrated in the street light. The data emanating fromthe acceleration sensors, which are preferably integrated in the controlmodule directly inside the housing, can be transmitted to the server viathe group controller and its long-range communication module. As aresult, it is possible to detect seismic waves even in the case ofrelatively inaccurate sensors on account of the multiplicity of signalstransmitted by said sensors and to analyse them in a spatially andtemporally resolved manner in the server on the basis of thegeocoordinates to be concomitantly transmitted by the control modulesand the group controller. This results in a comparatively accuratedepiction of the earthquake progress even with a poor resolution of theP waves and/or S waves. Accordingly, information relating to theepicentre of the earthquake can also be extracted from the information.This can happen either on the server of the network or on a specialserver assigned to an earthquake centre. Accordingly, a subsequenttsunami warning or else an earthquake warning may also result viacontrol of the luminaires, for example by emitting light signalspreviously disclosed to the population. These may be, for example,wave-like light signals of alternating and propagating luminositieswhich run along the road.

By integrating a street light according to FIG. 7 in the ground andpermanently arranging and connecting said street light to the groundusing a layer of lean concrete 44, a foundation pipe 45 and densefilling material 46, for example, acceleration sensors arranged in thecontrol module in or on the luminaire head 48 can effectively pick upthe seismic waves propagating in the soil or along its surface via themast 49. Alternatively or additionally, a more finely resolvingseismometer 52 may also be arranged in the base of the mast 49, whichseismometer is connected to the control module 2 via a data line (notshown). A great advantage of the system is the evaluation of amultiplicity of sensors which are distributed over a large area, whichevaluation can be carried out virtually at the same time and enables ananalysis in order to detect seismic waves 50 illustrated using dashedlines in FIG. 6. At the same time, an information system which can beused to simultaneously inform a multiplicity of road users is possible.

EMBODIMENTS

1. A method for operating a network of luminaires, the method includingthe steps of:

providing a network of luminaires comprising a plurality of luminaires,each luminaire having a control module associated therewith, each of thecontrol modules comprising:

-   -   a long-range communication module,    -   a short-range communication module,    -   a geocoordinates module, and    -   a controller,        each control module being operable for providing a control        output for controlling a driver of the luminaire, the control        output comprising control signals for the driver of a luminous        means of the associated luminaire,

providing at least one server reachable via the long-range communicationmodule,

setting up the network by dividing the control modules into at least onegroup of control modules on the basis of at least one of: environmental,luminaire and control module information provided by the controlmodules,

selecting one of the control modules in each group as the groupcontroller,

forming a short-range network of further control modules, within eachgroup via the respective short-range communication modules, the furthercontrol modules in each group communicating with one another and withtheir group controller by means of their short-range communicationmodules, and

transmitting, in a normal operating state of the network, from the groupcontroller to the server, at least one of its own: environmental,luminaire and control module information, and at least one of theenvironmental, luminaire and control module information received fromthe further control modules via the short-range communication module.

2. Method according to embodiment 1, wherein the step of dividing thecontrol modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) into at least one group (A, B)is further performed on the basis of environmental information providedby the control modules.

3. Method according to embodiment 2, wherein environmental informationis transmitted, in the normal operating state of the network, from thegroup controller (2, 23′, 28′) to the server.

4. Method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein eachcontrol module (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) further comprises a near-fieldcommunication module.

5. Method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein thecontrol modules further comprise at least one sensor (41).

6. Method according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein theshort-range network is in the form of a mesh network.

7. Method according to one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the steps of:

acquiring geoinformation when a control module (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′)is started up for the first time,

registering with a network provider (14) via the long-rangecommunication module, and

transmitting the geoinformation to the server (4) with at least one of:control module-specific and luminaire-specific information.

8. Method according to embodiment 7, further comprising applying avoltage for the first time to the start up the control module for thefirst time.

9. Method according to embodiment 7 or 8, wherein the registering with anetwork provider (14) is performed under roaming conditions.

10. Method according any one of embodiments 7 to 9, further comprising,after transmitting information relating to a control module (1, 2, 23,23′, 28, 28′), the step of: transmitting to said control module (1, 2,23, 23′, 28, 28′) provider access data specific to a locally presentlong-range network.

11. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising, after a control module (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) has beenstarted up for the first time and it has been registered on a logonserver, performing the steps of using a project server:

assigning the at least one group, and

interchanging data with said at least one group.

12. Method according to embodiment 11, further comprising the step of:receiving, at the project server from the logon server, informationrelating to activated control modules.

13. Method according to any one of the embodiments 7 to 9, furthercomprising the step of: transmitting, to the network provider (14) andvia an interface, information relating to the further control modules tobe suspended or deactivated in terms of their long-range communication.

14. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the step of: transmitting an item of information from theserver (4) to the further control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′)indicating which of these control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) arenot required to carry out any long-range communication in the normaloperating state.

15. Method according to any one of the embodiments 7 to 10 and 13,wherein the provider access data are made available via firmware tothose control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) which have an electronicSIM.

16. Method according to any one of the embodiments 7 to 10, 13 and 15,further comprising the step of: activating, suspending or deactivatingindividual control modules (1,2,23,23′,28,28′) on the server side via anAPI (13) to a long-range network provider (14).

17. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the steps of:

transmitting, using the server (4), data relating to the respectivemembers of the group to the respective group controller (2, 23′, 28′),and

determining the respective group controller as the group controller withrespect to the further members of the group.

18. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the step of: providing, using the server (4), the controlmodules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) in a group (A, B) with informationrelating to adjacent control modules in the same group.

19. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising, after successfully setting up a network inside the group,the step of reporting this successful set up to the server (4), usingthe group controller (2, 23′, 28′).

20. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising, after having voltage applied to the control module (1, 2,23, 23′, 28, 28′), the step of operating, using the control module (1,2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′), the luminaire with different brightnesses overpredefined or predefinable intervals of time.

21. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the step of: after at least one of the control modules(1,2,23,23′,28,28′) has been installed for the first time or installedagain, receiving, in at least one of the control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′,28, 28′) from the server (4), a parameter set for operating theluminaire.

22. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the steps of:

transmitting, from the server (4) to the group controller (2, 23′, 28′),software, and

supplying the control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) in a group withsoftware updates via the software transmitted to the group controller(2, 23′, 28′) by the server (4).

23. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the step of receiving, in that at least one control module(1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) from the server (4), new controller firmware.

24. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the step of: using the control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28,28′), scanning automatically the short-range network for additionalcontrol modules which have been switched on for the first time.

25. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising, on the basis of a frequency of disturbing events, the stepsof:

transmitting a server request for the temporally limited renewedreception of neighbourhood information,

receiving, at the control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) in a group(A, B), information on adjacent control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′)and the quality of the connection to the latter via the short-rangecommunication module,

transmitting this information to the group controller (2, 23′, 28′) viaone of: the short-range communication module and the server (4) via thelong-range communication module, and

using the server (4), performing at least one of: making and checkingfor possible changes to the division of the groups (A, B).

26. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the steps of:

providing an information carrier arranged on a part of the luminaire,

receiving luminaire-specific information at the information carrier, and

reading the information carrier in at least one of an automated mannerand triggered manner.

27. Method according to embodiment 26, further comprising reading theinformation carrier using a near-field sensor of the control module.

28. Method according to embodiment 26 or 27, further comprising linking,on the server side, the luminaire-specific information to an inventorylist, the content of which can at least partially be displayed if one ofthe parts of the luminaire fails.

29. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the steps of:

observing, using the control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) in agroup, information relating to their short-range network-basedenvironment at a predefined time and/or on account of serverinitialization,

receiving, using said control modules (1, 2, 23,23′, 28, 28′), at leasttemporarily store information relating to respective adjacent controlmodules in said environment, and

transmitting, using said control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′), saidinformation to the server (4) either via the group controller (2, 23′,28′) or directly.

30. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the steps of:

selecting a plurality of control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′),

determining a control module density,

checking said control module density using a predefined or predefinablelimit value, and

querying said control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′).

31. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furtherincluding the following step, performed by the respective controlmodules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′): transmitting to the server (4) datarelating to at least one of: their UID in the short-range network, theirIP address in the long-range network, their UID in the short-range radionetwork, luminaire-specific information, data relating to up to 50adjacent control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) in the short-rangenetwork, up to 10 adjacent control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) inthe short-range network, including any UIDs, and the connection qualitybelonging to the adjacent control modules.

32. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, whereinthe groups and/or group controllers are divided on the server in anautomated manner.

33. Method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 32, wherein thedivision of the groups and/or group controllers is kept variable bymeans of user inputs.

34. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, whereineach group is assigned the same number as or fewer than a predefinablenumber of control modules.

35. Method according to embodiment 34 wherein the number is 200.

36. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein acontrol module (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) is selected as the groupcontroller (2, 23′, 28′) in an automated manner on the basis of fuzzycontrol strategies.

37. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein acontrol module (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) is suspended or deactivated inan automated manner on the basis of fuzzy control strategies.

38. Method according to embodiment 36 or 37, wherein the selection ismade taking into account rules for at least one of:

-   -   a) the ratio of active to inactive control modules,    -   b) the availability of neighbours in the short-range network,    -   c) the number of network disturbances,    -   d) the network changes (new vs. deleted control modules),    -   e) the change in the connection quality in the short-range        network,    -   f) the estimated connection costs to the long-range network        provider,    -   g) the communication of sensor data between adjacent groups,    -   h) the latency, possibly on the basis of the distance,    -   i) the failure and replacement of active group controllers, and    -   j) a stabilization module for taking into account time-based        attenuation.

39. Method according to embodiment 37 wherein the rules are mapped andlinked using an AI system.

40. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the steps of:

defining at least one substitute group on the server side using thecontrol strategies,

changing the substitute group controller from the suspended state to theactive mode if the current group controller fails.

41. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the step of acquiring environmental information relating tothe short-range network and communication in the short-range network forthe purpose of normal operation in different frequency bands of theshort-range network.

42. Method according to embodiment 41, wherein the same antenna is usedfor the different frequencies.

43. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, furthercomprising the step of transmitting data based on sensor information andwith cross-group relevance directly, by circumventing the server, to acontrol module in an adjacent group via the long-range network.

44. Method according to any one of the preceding embodiments,characterized in that data based on sensor information and withcross-group relevance is directly transmitted, while circumventing theserver, to a control module in an adjacent group via the short-rangenetwork, wherein the data are transmitted in a different frequency bandto intra-group normal operation.

45. Method according to embodiment 43 or 44, further comprisingperforming, on the server, a group-independent selection of controlmodules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) for interchanging data with cross-grouprelevance.

46. Network of luminaires comprising a plurality of luminaires, eachluminaire being a street light and having a control module (1, 2, 23,23′, 28, 28′) associated therewith, each of the control modules (1, 2,23, 23′, 28, 28′) comprising:

-   -   a long-range communication module,    -   a short-range communication module,    -   a geocoordinates module, and    -   a controller (39),        each control module being operable for providing a control        output for controlling a driver of the luminaire, the control        output comprising control signals for the driver of a luminous        means of the associated luminaire, and

at least one server (4) reachable via the long-range communicationmodule,

the network operating in accordance with any one of the precedingembodiments.

47. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein environmentalinformation is any one of: geocoordinates, information relating toadjacent control modules in the short-range network andenvironment-specific information.

1. A method for operating a network of luminaires, the method includingthe steps of: providing a network of luminaires comprising a pluralityof luminaires, each luminaire having a control module associatedtherewith, each of the control modules comprising: a long-rangecommunication module, a short-range communication module, ageocoordinates module, and a controller, each control module beingoperable for providing a control output for controlling a driver of theluminaire, the control output comprising control signals for the driverof a luminous means of the associated luminaire, providing at least oneserver reachable via the long-range communication module, setting up thenetwork by dividing the control modules into at least one group ofcontrol modules on the basis of at least one of: environmental,luminaire and control module information provided by the controlmodules, selecting one of the control modules in each group as the groupcontroller, forming a short-range network of further control modules,within each group via the respective short-range communication modules,the further control modules in each group communicating with one anotherand with their group controller by means of their short-rangecommunication modules, and transmitting, in a normal operating state ofthe network, from the group controller to the server, at least one ofits own: environmental, luminaire and control module information, and atleast one of the environmental, luminaire and control module informationreceived from the further control modules via the short-rangecommunication module.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein eachcontrol module further comprises a near-field communication module. 3.The method according to claim 1, wherein the control modules furthercomprise at least one sensor.
 4. The method according to claim 1,further comprising the step of: transmitting an item of information fromthe server to the further control modules indicating which of thesecontrol modules are not required to carry out any long-rangecommunication in the normal operating state.
 5. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising the steps of: transmitting, using theserver, data relating to the respective members of the group to therespective group controller, and determining the respective groupcontroller as the group controller with respect to the further membersof the group.
 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising thestep of: providing, using the server, the control modules in a groupwith information relating to adjacent control modules in the same group.7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, aftersuccessfully setting up a network inside the group, the step ofreporting this successful set up to the server, using the groupcontroller.
 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising,after having voltage applied to the control module, the step ofoperating, using the control module, the luminaire with differentbrightnesses over predefined or predefinable intervals of time.
 9. Themethod according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: after atleast one of the control modules has been installed for the first timeor installed again, receiving, in at least one of the control modulesfrom the server, a parameter set for operating the luminaire.
 10. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:transmitting, from the server to the group controller, software, andsupplying the control modules in a group with software updates via thesoftware transmitted to the group controller by the server.
 11. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: using thecontrol modules, scanning automatically the short-range network foradditional control modules which have been switched on for the firsttime.
 12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the stepsof: providing an information carrier arranged on a part of theluminaire, receiving luminaire-specific information at the informationcarrier, and reading the information carrier in at least one of anautomated manner and triggered manner.
 13. The method according to claim12, further comprising reading the information carrier using anear-field sensor of the control module.
 14. The method according toclaim 1, further including the following step, performed by therespective control modules: transmitting to the server (4) data relatingto at least one of: their UID in the short-range network, their IPaddress in the long-range network, their UID in the short-range radionetwork, luminaire-specific information, data relating to up to 50adjacent control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) in the short-rangenetwork, up to 10 adjacent control modules (1, 2, 23, 23′, 28, 28′) inthe short-range network, including any UIDs, and the connection qualitybelonging to the adjacent control modules.
 15. The method according toclaim 1, wherein each group is assigned the same number as or fewer thana predefinable number of control modules.
 16. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising the steps of: defining at least onesubstitute group on the server side using the control strategies,changing the substitute group controller from the suspended state to theactive mode if the current group controller fails.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising the step of acquiringenvironmental information relating to the short-range network andcommunication in the short-range network for the purpose of normaloperation in different frequency bands of the short-range network. 18.The method according to claim 1, characterized in that data based onsensor information and with cross-group relevance is directlytransmitted, while circumventing the server, to a control module in anadjacent group via the short-range network, wherein the data aretransmitted in a different frequency band to intra-group normaloperation.
 19. A network of luminaires comprising a plurality ofluminaires, each luminaire having a control module associated therewith,each of the control modules comprising: a long-range communicationmodule, a short-range communication module, a geocoordinates module, anda controller, each control module being configured for providing acontrol output for controlling a driver of the luminaire, the controloutput comprising control signals for the driver of a luminous means ofthe associated luminaire, and at least one server configured to bereachable via the long-range communication module, the network beingconfigure to operate by setting up the network by dividing the controlmodules into at least one group of control modules on the basis of atleast one of: environmental, luminaire and control module informationprovided by the control modules; selecting one of the control modules ineach group as the group controller; forming a short-range network offurther control modules, within each group via the respectiveshort-range communication modules, the further control modules in eachgroup communicating with one another and with their group controller bymeans of their short-range communication modules; and transmitting, in anormal operating state of the network, from the group controller to theserver, at least one of its own: environmental, luminaire and controlmodule information, and at least one of the environmental, luminaire andcontrol module information received from the further control modules viathe short-range communication module.
 20. The method according to claim1, wherein environmental information is any one of: geocoordinates,information relating to adjacent control modules in the short-rangenetwork and environment-specific information.